PHILADELPHIA -- The common thread running through the first two months of the season for the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers is the amount of losing each team was forced to endure.

When they meet Thursday night in Philadelphia, both teams will be hoping their darkest days are behind them.

The Flyers (12-11-7) have won four straight games since losing 10 in a row from Nov. 11 through Dec. 2, and they are beginning to look and sound like a team capable of climbing back into playoff contention.